When making the decision to acquire a new firearm, there are a few factors to take into consideration. A lot of shooters elect to build their own AR-15 rather than just purchasing a completed rifle. There can be some distinct advantages to building from home, namely to get exactly the parts needed for a custom-fit weapon. This raises the question; can it actually save money to build an AR-15 at home rather than purchasing one? The short answer is maybe. 

The Cost of Building an AR-15 

To build an AR-15 from scratch, you're looking at a minimum cost of $700 for a generic upper receiver. That's not including the cost of a lower receiver, which can run anywhere from $100 to $300, and that’s without taking into consideration upgrading the trigger, stock, buffer tube, or any of the other components one would want more custom fit lower. So, all told, you're looking at a minimum cost of $800 to build an AR-15 from scratch. Assuming you already have the tools and knowledge necessary to build an AR-15, the cost of building one from scratch can be quite reasonable. However, if you need to purchase all the necessary tools and parts, the cost can quickly add up. In addition, the lower receiver, and its varying AR components can be some of the more expensive individual items that can be added to a custom build, so it is important to factor that into your budget as well. Overall, building an AR-15 from scratch can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it is important to be aware of the potential cost involved. 

The Cost of Buying an AR-15 

Now, let's compare that to the cost of buying an AR-15 outright. A quick search on Google shows that you can buy an AR-15 for as little as $500 for a generic branded rifle out-of-the-box. While this option may seem ideal to some, it’s also important to consider the finished product cost. Purchasing an AR-15 at the local gun store will illustrate the sheer volume of accessories that can be added to make a rifle feel custom-fit, with nearly every individual component having upgradable options available on the market. The price tag for a basic shooter may seem appealing until it’s time to start upgrading those stock components. 

When buying an AR-15 outright, there is some peace of mind knowing that the weapon has been built by experts who know what they're doing. When doing a home-built AR-15, there is always a risk that something could go wrong. Purchasing a firearm also prevents the necessity of having specialized and usually expensive tools on hand for custom AR-15 work. Building your own AR-15 can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it's important to remember that there can be a certain amount of risk involved as well. Choosing to purchase an AR-15 means that you can be sure that the weapon will function properly and that there will be less risk of worrying about any potential problems.

Conclusion

While there are certain factors that will impact the cost of building as well as buying, there can be cost advantages to both. Don’t be fooled into thinking that building your own AR-15 is always going to be cheaper than buying one outright. If the task of finding and acquiring just the right components to build at home seems daunting, it could be better to buy an AR-15 from a reputable dealer or manufacturer and avoid the hassle and expense of building at home if you lack the knowledge and money-saving skills needed to pull the build together. However, if you have the patience and skills needed, putting together a custom-built AR-15 can be extremely fulfilling once everything comes together. 

Why RailScales?

RailScales offers a variety of high-end AR-15 accessories to help you finish your manufacturer-built AR-15 or to put the final touches on a custom build. Our products include vertical grips, hand stops, G10 and polymer Railscales, and many other items that are precision machined from high-end materials sourced in the U.S. to provide a lightweight and durable solution for your firearm. We also offer a variety of colors and patterns to choose from to help you personalize your rifle. Visit RailScales.com today to find the perfect accessory for your AR-15.